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Have you ever been in a museum and wondered what would happen if all the exhibits came to life after dark? Well this film is about exactly that!

The film centres around the character Larry played by Ben Stiller. Larry is a dreamer, he thinks up money-making ideas but none of them seem to work. He floats in and out of jobs but after a reality-check from his ex-wife he realises that for the sake of his son he needs to get a permanent job. Without a good CV he struggles but eventually persuades an agency to get him a job at the Museum of National History in New York. Here the museum are planning to replace the three old night guards (headed up by Dick Van Dyke) with one younger one. Larry thinks the job will be a breeze and ignores the list of instructions the guards give him and the advice not to let anything in or out of the museum and settles down for an easy night. However the one thing the guards forgot to tell him was that at night everything in the museum comes to life.

In a museum of dinosaurs, wild animals, cowboys, soldiers, cavemen and Attila the Hun this is a recipe for disaster. Can Larry keep everything under control? What is the museum's secret? Can Larry keep his job and persuade his ex-wife he is responsible? Can he keep all the exhibits from damaging each other or from escaping. Well if I told you it would spoil the film, you'll just need to watch to find out.

The film is based on an idea that many people (especially children) might have when walking round a museum. You might think I bet its scary here at night, or you might feel that the mannequin looking at you looks a bit too life-like, you might have even wondered what would happen if it came to life. This film is the result of those dreams and thoughts. It is an action packed fun adventure, you find yourself willing Larry on to sort out the trouble and to triumph for his sake and to prove to his son that he can save the day. Underlying all the action is the heart-warming story of a dad wanting to do the best for his son and wanting his son to be proud of him.

The film has a simple plot and really it is aimed at children but I found it enjoyable nonetheless. There are a few little twists in the plot but there isn't a huge amount of suspense. The visual effects with the dinosaur and the animals are great though and there is so much happening in the film when the museum pieces come to life. Ben Stiller is appropriately cast in this kind of film doing what he does best playing the comedy role as an ordinary guy having the unbelievable happen to him. It was amusing to see Ricky Gervais make an appearance as the museums manager basically playing his usual role as someone who takes himself a bit too seriously.

The humour from the film is mainly slapstick, the scene with the monkey really made me laugh and I know kids will find it hilarious too (shows I probably have a childish sense of humour). I think as long as you don't expect too much from this film you will enjoy it, it's a kids film, it is funny and its humour is good clean old fashioned fun and for me that's a good thing in a children's film.

Further Information

Actors: Ben Stiller, Dick Van Dyke, Kim Raver, Carla Gugino, Steve Coogan,
Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais and Robin Williams
Classification: PG
DVD Release Date: 2 April 2007
Run Time: 104 minutes

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